A city man with a history of drug offenses was arrested Thursday night after police say he led them on a foot chase and fought with an officer.

Juan Angel Padua, 20, last known address 42.5 Cottage St., is charged with distribution of a Class A drug (heroin), resisting arrest and conspiracy to violate a drug law.

His alleged customer, 34-year-old Jason Medas, 1296 Broadway, was arrested for heroin possession and conspiracy to violate a drug law.

Police say they were conducting a surveillance of Girlies Variety Store, 96 Oak St., at 7:15 p.m. when they saw a green Jeep Cherokee pull in and park.

A check of the plate revealed it was registered to a Bridgewater woman. The male driver, who was alone, meanwhile was “constantly on his cell phone” and looking around, the police report states.

Cops say they then saw Padua drive up alongside the Jeep in a late model blue Honda Civic and engage in what appeared to be a drug transaction.

The officer who wrote the report also notes that he immediately recognized Padua, whom he notes was arrested in a major 2010 drug sting in the city dubbed Operation RF Diesel.

When approached, Padua allegedly struck an officer with his arm and then ran off. Police said they chased him through backyards on Hern Avenue and Wales Street, during which time they jumped over more than one fence.

Padua was eventually grabbed but allegedly assumed a fighting stance and tried kicking the officer, despite his having been struck on the back with a service flashlight.

Police say they shortly thereafter recovered a small bag of what appeared to be heroin that Padua allegedly tossed into a yard. They also said they confiscated $954 in cash from Padua’s pockets.

Medas, police said, had a half-gram of heroin in his pocket. Cops also said a criminal check of Padua revealed that he had an active default warrant out of district court.